Md. runners hold fun run in solidarity with Boston

Many marathon runners take part to support running community

Published 8:21 AM EDT Apr 23, 2013

BALTIMORE -

Runners across Maryland came together Monday night to show solidarity for the victims of the bombings in Boston.

Hundreds of runners, many of whom competed in the Boston Marathon last week, took part in five simultaneous runs organized by Charm City Run. While the event wasn't an official race with a finish line, participants said it was still emotional to run with a group again and reclaim the sport they love.

"We don't really know anything else to do but to get together and run. That's really what we do, so to have an informal group run just felt right," said Charm City Run coach Marie Bolton, who explained the sentiment behind the Runners for Boston Fun Run.

Bolton was on her way to the Boston Marathon finish line to cheer on her father when the bombs exploded last week.

"It was a tough day for the running community and for my family and for everybody, but you run again, and that's why we're here," Bolton said.

On the one-week anniversary of the Boston bombings, marathoners mingled with others on the NCR Trail and at four other locations across central Maryland.

The group is rallying around Erika Brannock, the Towson preschool teacher who lost part of her leg while cheering on her mother at the finish line in Boston. Fun run participants donated money to help Brannock cover the cost of medical bills and a prosthetic leg. If you would like to donate, click here.

"I have a feeling she's going to come up with a way to deal with this, but I don't know how. I'm sure it's going to be tough," said Boston Marathon runner John Shafer.

"It's really critical that we support people who have been through such a traumatic event, and if we can help them somehow with their recovery and rehab, we want to do it," said fun run participant Jan Brinch.

Runners who missed the marathon bombs by minutes said they're still trying to understand how such a positive event could take such a horrific turn.

"I'm very thankful that nothing bad happened to us, but I feel really bad for the great people who yelled their lungs out the whole way down the course," Shafer said.

"The tragedy was profound for all of us. It's important to stand up and be counted any way we can," said marathon runner Steve Mandell.

Many local running stores are also selling Runners for Boston T-shirts to benefit those who were killed or wounded last week.

Copyright 2013 byWBALTV.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.